TRAINING A HORSE 



We may now finish off our hack's education 

 by teaching him to change his legs in the 

 canter. To start him on his off fore leg the 

 rider will collect him on to his near hind leg by 

 pressing in the left leg, and carrying the hand 

 slightly to the left, so that the right rein 

 touches the neck, draws the horse's nose to the 

 right, and throws his weight on to his near fore 

 and near hind legs ; then when the near fore 

 leg is just perpendicular with the ground, he 

 should close his right leg and press the horse 

 forward with both spurs, easing the hand as he 

 jumps off into the canter. The reverse aids 

 will change him on to his near fore leg. This 

 exercise is very tiring, and only a few changes 

 should be made at a time. The rider should 

 be careful not to bend his body over the leg 

 he wishes his horse to lead with, as his weight 

 will make it difficult for the horse to raise 

 the point of the shoulder. In the early lessons 

 the horse should be rewarded by the rider slack- 

 ing the reins as the change of leg is made. 



There is one point in connection with 

 training which must be remembered : the horse 

 should not be made to carry his head and 

 neck high and so transfer the greater part of 

 his weight to his loins and hocks, until he has 

 been gradually strengthened by long walks, 



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